Employed And Homeless: Kennard Family Tells Their Story

Cindy and Patrick Kennard have college degrees. Patrick Kennard works at a bank call center and until recently, Cindy Kennard worked as a director of a daycare facility. They have three children, share 19 years of marriage -- they’re also homeless, NBC reports.

The Kennards are now receiving help from a church shelter that will help them move into an apartment. The family first ran into trouble when Patrick Kennard suffered from kidney problems. Between the medical bills, student loan debt and a broken-down car, the family found themselves more than $35,000 in debt, according to NBC. In the toughest times, the couple said they pawned their wedding rings for $100 to pay for food and gas. “That ring on my finger meant the world to me,” Patrick Kennard told the news outlet.

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States With Highest Child Homelessness

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- Georgia reported 45,566 homeless children in 2010
- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour
- An average two-bedroom apartment in Georgia requires a $15.18 per hour income
- Female-headed households make up 8.9 percent of the state's population
- 9.9 percent of children are living without health insurance
- 20 percent of children are living in poverty

- Florida reported 83,957 homeless children in 2010
- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour
- An average two-bedroom apartment in Florida requires a $20.29 per hour income
- Female-headed households make up 7.1 percent of the state's population
- 14.2 percent of children are living without health insurance
- 18 percent of children are living in poverty

- Nevada reported 15,243 homeless children in 2010
- Minimum wage is $7.55 per hour
- An average two-bedroom apartment in Nevada requires a $19.32 per hour income
- Female-headed households make up 7 percent of the state's population
- 17.5 percent of children are living without health insurance
- 15 percent of children are living in poverty

- Louisiana reported 43,488 homeless children in 2010
- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour
- An average two-bedroom apartment in Louisiana requires a $15.11 per hour income
- Female-headed households make up 9.3 percent of the state's population
- 9 percent of children are living without health insurance
- 26 percent of children are living in poverty

- New Mexico reported 16,262 homeless children in 2010
- Minimum wage is $7.50 per hour
- An average two-bedroom apartment in New Mexico requires a $13.42 per hour income
- Female-headed households make up 7.8 percent of the state's population
- 13.7 percent of children are living without health insurance
- 25 percent of children are living in poverty

- California reported 334,131 homeless children in 2010
- Minimum wage is $8 per hour
- An average two-bedroom apartment in California requires a $25.52 per hour income
- Female-headed households make up 7.8 percent of the state's population
- 10.7 percent of children are living without health insurance
- 18 percent of children are living in poverty

- Arizona reported 53,129 homeless children in 2010
- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour
- An average two-bedroom apartment in Arizona requires a $17 per hour income
- Female-headed households make up 7.1 percent of the state's population
- 15 percent of children are living without health insurance
- 21 percent of children are living in poverty

- Arkansas reported 13,978 homeless children in 2010
- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour
- An average two-bedroom apartment in Arkansas requires a $11.50 per hour income
- Female-headed households make up 7.7 percent of the state's population
- 7.4 percent of children are living without health insurance
- 25 percent of children are living in poverty

- Mississippi reported 12,929 homeless children in 2010
- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour
- An average two-bedroom apartment in Mississippi requires a $12.74 per hour income
- Female-headed households make up 10 percent of the state's population
- 13.4 percent of children are living without health insurance
- 30 percent of children are living in poverty

- Alabama reported 28,081 homeless children in 2010
- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour
- An average two-bedroom apartment in Alabama requires a $12.59 per hour income
- Female-headed households make up 8.1 percent of the state's population
- 8.9 percent of children are living without health insurance
- 24 percent of children are living in poverty